Environmentally friendly plan for Tradition's casino

(WBNG Binghamton) Traditions at the Glen owners unveiled their environmentally friendly plan for their proposed new casino in the Southern Tier.

Owner Bill Walsh and his team revealed how the project would impact the local community. The event was held at the Broome County Library to members of the Broome County Environmental Management Council and the general public.

The main concern from those who attended the meeting was how traffic would be affected.

“Harry L Drive and Watson is already congested with the mall and Wegmans, now they’re saying anywhere from three to five thousand people a day will be coming in there how does the traffic flow,” said Lee Spadine of the Town of Union.

Walsh doesn't have any concrete idea of how bad traffic will be affected, but said that traffic isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"It’s definitely going to generate some traffic, but that’s something that we need here. Traffic means jobs, it means money, it means everything else for our community,” said Bill Walsh.

In two to three weeks, results from a traffic study will give the owners a better idea of how significant traffic will be affected and what some possible solutions would be.

Traditions at the Glen owners plan for the new casino to use solar power, to help generate power and hot water.

"You wouldn't believe how much hot water and power a hotel and casino need," Walsh said.

They also have plans for green roofs and a multi-level parking lot.

The parking lot would have, "permiable surfaces so that water drains through them, rather than running off and creating storm water issues," added Walsh.

As early as this fall, the owner will know if they will win the bid for the new casino in the Southern Tier.

They say once they know, it will take as little as 12 months to complete the project.